Bragga completes staff with pitching coach Donnie Suttles

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Head coach Matt Bragga has completed
his coaching staff with the appointment of Donnie Suttles as
Tennessee Tech baseball's pitching coach. Suttles will manage the
bullpen for the Golden Eagles, handling responsibilities that
include handling situational defense situations, mechanics and
pitching changes.

"Coach Suttles absolutely blew us away throughout the interview
process," Bragga emphasized. "He is an incredible person first and
foremost with great character and great priorities. He comes in as
our pitching coach, but knows the entire game extremely well. His
background in this game as a professional and collegiate player,
and his desire to be the best coach he can possibly be, has given
him an incredible base of knowledge that he then puts into use with
his communication and teaching skills.

"We are blessed to have Coach Suttles as our pitching coach and
recruiting coordinator. We are thrilled to have him and his
wonderful family join the Tennessee Tech baseball family."

Hailing from Marion, N.C., Suttles comes to Cookeville from TC
Roberson High School, where he was the acting head coach from
2007-2010. TC Roberson was ranked within the top five programs in
North Carolina by Baseball America from 2007-2010, having climbed
as high as the number two spot in 2007 with a 23-4 record.

A member of the Professional Baseball Representatives (PBR),
Suttles also acted as the North Carolina State Games coach and
developed the North Carolina pro player clinic for players and
coaches in 2010.

Prior to his time at TCR, Suttles was the pitching coach at his
alma mater, McDowell High School, from 2004-2006, an American
Legion Coach from 2003-2006 and an assistant coach at Gardner Webb
University from 2003-2004. His coaching experience commenced with
his role as a player instructor for the Cleveland Indians' Class A
affiliate, the Columbia Redstixx.

Suttles' experience on the diamond goes far beyond coaching
however, as he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the
12th round of the 1998 MLB First Year Player Draft,
following his junior year at Western Carolina University. He was
named the most athletic player in the draft for the Indians, the
1998 Top Prospect in the Appalachian League and the 1998 Team
Pitcher of the Year, and posted ERA and strikeout stats that ranked
fourth and fifth in the minors. In 1999, Suttles pitched the
Columbus Redstixx (South Atlantic League) to the first half
championship.

At Western Carolina, Suttles was a member of the 1997 Southern
Conference regular season and post-season champion team, was named
the SoCon pitcher of the week three times, and honored as Pitcher
of the Year for the Rocky Mount Rockfish in the CPL Summer
League.

"I am looking forward to a great experience with the Tech
Baseball Program," Suttles said. "It is a great pleasure to work
with leaders like Matt and Larry Bragga, and Justin Hogan. They are
not only great people but extremely talented coaches.

"In just a few days of practice I have seen an abundance of
talent in these student athletes," he continued. "I look forward to
making a run at Omaha with these coaches, players and this
University."